I first tried an iPad 2 in 2011 but decided that I had no need for it as an in-between device, then desktop Mac at work and both MBAir and iPhone for work on the go. I now have MBP [edit] 15" 256GB (2015) [ie no USB-C] and iP7, 128GB [with lightning connector], both bought 'behind the curve' at a heavy discount.
Reading reviews of the iPAir (2019) started me to contemplate starting a journey with an iPad. I started that two days ago with a refurb iPPro 10.5 64GB (2017) from the online Apple Store. I say iPPro (2017) but it seems that it was manufactured in May 2019, although on reflection that might be the re-furb date for the cover and battery.
One potentially crucial matter is whether the threat of the dreaded 'white spot' will remain or whether Apple would have done something about that in this 'more recent' item. Perhaps I should add that I bought this with Amex Plat so I think that means 3 years' worth of cover? [edit: I am informed by Amex (UK) that this cover does not apply in the UK
]
As the MBP is now my workhorse and even though I back-up the data & software on it, it would be a real setback were I to lose this on my travels, hence my interest in the more recent iPads. As I sit typing this on my MBP I want to give the iPad the best chance of winning my heart ... and so taking this with me on the road in preference to my MBP which might still be my choice of partner on the sofa, so to speak.
I now have a countdown of 14 days in which to return (9 days now) and 60 for AppleCare+. So, a decision is before me.
Dimensions of (dis)affection:
1. No keyboard - yet. I'm trying to make my mind up between (in current preference order) the Zagg Rugged, the Brydge and the Apple Smart. Will order one when & if I stick with this iPad.
2. fingerprints on the screen - (see above) - OK, they are my own fingerprints but they annoy me when watching movies (which are impressive)
3. screen size - 10.5" is that bit smaller than [edit] 15" so having to get used to films shown on that smaller size but otherwise liking the smaller form, altho' not yet taken it out of the house.
4. weight - very light altho' will double to MBP weight (which is ok) when attached to Zagg or Brydge
5. storage - I read the thread on 64GB vs 256GB - decided that as the price was good for the 64GB and there was not a 256GB available in the colour I wanted (!! I know !!), I went for the 64GB, and bought a SanDisk 128GB USB to lightning stick for dual duty as storage and file transfer. On reflection 256GB would have made set-up that much easier and I do like ready access to music and photos, also discovering that any downloads of movies would set me back >1GB a time. That said, I have upgraded iCloud and upgraded Google One/Drive provision. If I organise myself properly that should mean that I could live with 64GB for life on the road, at least for a week at most. So, jury is out on whether to just go for gold (bling!) and pay the extra for a 256GB refurb while still available, or even 512GB in a colour I do like. But there is a price to pay, and I do like a bargain ...
6. software - I have (used) Word, Powerpoint & Excel and have even taken out annual sub for O365 [shock!] as have large backstore of earlier docs and continue to write & present. I wanted to be able to edit those, if not create new, on my travels - tweaking and correcting mostly. Fortunately the O365 sub meant it was straightforward to download the respective Apps. I have not yet tested how easy the Apps are to use for tweaking & editing purposes. I have not yet investigated whether some of the specialist software I use on the MBP have iPad Apps, but the outcome is not a killer.
7. Pencil - a new tool for me. I'm now trying to use it rather than my finger to eliminate the fingerprint annoyance. I have yet to try writing and handwriting recognition (good luck with that methinks), nor yet taken to drawing/painting altho' have downloaded some free apps. The bare screen seems a bit slippy so have started to investigate a screen protectors - even Paperlite which apparently makes writing with Pencil more realistic, altho' at the expense of a more opaque image for movies/photos
8. That potential worry about white spot? I've put this to one side at the mo' but clearly I should re-visit before my 14 days - now 9 at time of typing - is up. But then, do I opt for the iPad Air and forgo the advantage that 4GB has over 3GB, and the (untested) advantage of Pro-motion and better speakers.
to be continued ...
Will Stroller learn to love an iPad? Will the iPad Pro 2017 become his best friend? Is he missing a trick by not buying that key accessory? Should he stick, twist or fold? - to mix the metaphor
Reading reviews of the iPAir (2019) started me to contemplate starting a journey with an iPad. I started that two days ago with a refurb iPPro 10.5 64GB (2017) from the online Apple Store. I say iPPro (2017) but it seems that it was manufactured in May 2019, although on reflection that might be the re-furb date for the cover and battery.
One potentially crucial matter is whether the threat of the dreaded 'white spot' will remain or whether Apple would have done something about that in this 'more recent' item. Perhaps I should add that I bought this with Amex Plat so I think that means 3 years' worth of cover? [edit: I am informed by Amex (UK) that this cover does not apply in the UK
]As the MBP is now my workhorse and even though I back-up the data & software on it, it would be a real setback were I to lose this on my travels, hence my interest in the more recent iPads. As I sit typing this on my MBP I want to give the iPad the best chance of winning my heart ... and so taking this with me on the road in preference to my MBP which might still be my choice of partner on the sofa, so to speak.
I now have a countdown of 14 days in which to return (9 days now) and 60 for AppleCare+. So, a decision is before me.
Dimensions of (dis)affection:
1. No keyboard - yet. I'm trying to make my mind up between (in current preference order) the Zagg Rugged, the Brydge and the Apple Smart. Will order one when & if I stick with this iPad.
2. fingerprints on the screen - (see above) - OK, they are my own fingerprints but they annoy me when watching movies (which are impressive)
3. screen size - 10.5" is that bit smaller than [edit] 15" so having to get used to films shown on that smaller size but otherwise liking the smaller form, altho' not yet taken it out of the house.
4. weight - very light altho' will double to MBP weight (which is ok) when attached to Zagg or Brydge
5. storage - I read the thread on 64GB vs 256GB - decided that as the price was good for the 64GB and there was not a 256GB available in the colour I wanted (!! I know !!), I went for the 64GB, and bought a SanDisk 128GB USB to lightning stick for dual duty as storage and file transfer. On reflection 256GB would have made set-up that much easier and I do like ready access to music and photos, also discovering that any downloads of movies would set me back >1GB a time. That said, I have upgraded iCloud and upgraded Google One/Drive provision. If I organise myself properly that should mean that I could live with 64GB for life on the road, at least for a week at most. So, jury is out on whether to just go for gold (bling!) and pay the extra for a 256GB refurb while still available, or even 512GB in a colour I do like. But there is a price to pay, and I do like a bargain ...
6. software - I have (used) Word, Powerpoint & Excel and have even taken out annual sub for O365 [shock!] as have large backstore of earlier docs and continue to write & present. I wanted to be able to edit those, if not create new, on my travels - tweaking and correcting mostly. Fortunately the O365 sub meant it was straightforward to download the respective Apps. I have not yet tested how easy the Apps are to use for tweaking & editing purposes. I have not yet investigated whether some of the specialist software I use on the MBP have iPad Apps, but the outcome is not a killer.
7. Pencil - a new tool for me. I'm now trying to use it rather than my finger to eliminate the fingerprint annoyance. I have yet to try writing and handwriting recognition (good luck with that methinks), nor yet taken to drawing/painting altho' have downloaded some free apps. The bare screen seems a bit slippy so have started to investigate a screen protectors - even Paperlite which apparently makes writing with Pencil more realistic, altho' at the expense of a more opaque image for movies/photos
8. That potential worry about white spot? I've put this to one side at the mo' but clearly I should re-visit before my 14 days - now 9 at time of typing - is up. But then, do I opt for the iPad Air and forgo the advantage that 4GB has over 3GB, and the (untested) advantage of Pro-motion and better speakers.
to be continued ...
Will Stroller learn to love an iPad? Will the iPad Pro 2017 become his best friend? Is he missing a trick by not buying that key accessory? Should he stick, twist or fold? - to mix the metaphor
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